Murray State
Samford
'Breds' five-run comeback trumped by Samford's five in the ninth
5/22/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
The Murray State Thoroughbreds made a valiant comeback, changing a 4-0 deficit into a 5-4 lead in the seventh inning, but visiting Samford used MSU miscues to score five runs in the ninth inning for the 9-6 win in Murray State's final baseball game of the season this afternoon.
It seemed like it was going to be a perfect Senior Day story. Both of the 'Breds' honored seniors played a part in the Murray State comeback, as starting pitcher Bart Peach was throwing well into the ninth inning and right fielder Scotty Scott had two hits, including a two-run single in the seventh that gave MSU (17-35, 11-16 OVC) a 5-4 lead.
Samford (23-31, 15-12 OVC) opened the game with a 4-0 lead after five innings, with Bulldogs starter Stephen Artz holding the 'Breds to one hit through the first four innings.
In the bottom of the seventh, left fielder Austin Swain led off with a single, then catcher Chad Fogle singled. Second baseman Seth Hudson sacrificed the runners ahead one base, then third baseman Clint Griggs got an infield single to score Swain. Center fielder Tyler Pittman walked to load the bases, then shortstop Alex Stewart singled in Fogle and Griggs, moving Pittman to third base with the deficit down to 4-3.
Scott greeted new pitcher Parker Gargis with a shot through the left side on the first pitch, plating Pittman and Stewart and giving MSU a 5-4 lead.
That lead held through the eighth inning, but in the ninth, the 'Breds made three errors, allowing five unearned runs to score, giving Samford a 9-5 advantage.
In the bottom of the ninth, Scott led off with a double, the first baseman Josh Foreman singled him to third, but Scott was able to scamper home on a fielding error, scoring the last run of the game, 9-6.
Scott went 2-for-5 with a double, a run scored and two runs batted in. Griggs, Foreman and Swain each had two hits, while Stewart had two RBIs.
For Samford, Garrett Rice went 3-for-3 with three runs, while Michael Collins had two hits, including a double. Gargis, who started the game as the designated hitter, also had two hits, while Matt Alling scored twice and Justin Worthington had two RBIs.
On the mound, Peach (0-5) took the loss despite a great performance, allowing eight runs (one earned) on eight hits, striking out a career-high 10 batters and walking only two in 8-1/3 innings. West Harris closed out the game, allowing one unearned run on two hits, striking out one and walking one in two-thirds of an inning.
For the Bulldogs, Gargis (1-7) got the win, allowing one unearned run on four hits, striking out four and walking two in 2-2/3 innings. Artz allowed no runs on three hits, striking out two and walking one in the first five innings of the game, while Michael Neimkin allowed five runs on five hits, striking out one and walking two in 1-1/3 innings.
"Bart pitched great," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "He certainly deserved a better fate.
"Physical errors are a part of baseball; you just hope they don't come in bunches. What we had was not a lack of effort, but maybe trying too hard to correct things. Bart was kind of a victim here; he pitched his way out of some jams today, though.
"Some of our guys will go off and play summer ball," McDonald said. "We emphasize that we want guys who want to go out and play summer baseball. In a good part of the country, the college season ends just when you should just get going. A lot of kids in this part of the country haven't played like the kids in California, Florida and Texas do. It's got to be something they have a desire to do."
McDonald completed his first season at the helm of the Thoroughbreds.
